Characters = Rumiko Takahashi

Story = Desert-Bandit

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Last time:

Harshly landing against the hard floor, she attempted to regain her equilibrium before the second crash caused larger debris to fall above her making a sickening connection to her head. The last thing she remembered seeing before blacking out was Sesshoumaru reaching for her with a look of slight fear in his eyes.

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Chapter 8

Darkness uncovered.

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Rubble could still be heard settling in when Kagome finally broke through the dark, heavy haze that clouded her mind. Her head felt like it was in a vice and her lungs burned for the need to breathe fresh air. She tried to open her eyes but the spinning room forced her to quickly shut them. After the feel of nausea lifted, she again attempted to open her eyes; this time successfully.

Looking around the room, her vision came to rest upon Sesshoumaru who was kneeling near beside her, his head tilted to the side slightly as if to better hear something. Gaining his attention when she began to sit up, he quickly gave her his hand to help her stand. Once he knew for certain that she could solidly stay upright, he released his hold. Kagome began to fidget slightly under his gaze. She always hated being stared at; it always reminded her of when Naraku stared at her during that final battle when they stood face to face.

Lifting his hand to rest on her forehead, she flinched. Not out of fear but of pain. Batting his hand away, she too lifted her hand to inspect the injury herself. It wasn't bad but there was still blood.

"Well, that explains the headache," she stated with grim humor. Sesshoumaru was pleased to know that she didn't take her injury to heart but the thought of knowing that the reason behind it was because she had encountered worse had made his beast growl in displeasure. How many times had she been hurt protecting herself or others?

Suddenly, her demeanor changed drastically. Her scent filled the room with fear and Sesshoumaru tensed, not knowing what it was that had caused her to be so afraid until she had uttered a single word: Rin.

He needn't hear another word to make him rush out of the room and down to the end of the hallway. He could already feel a cool breeze rushing through the corridor the closer he got.

Sliding to a stop, he was met with a sight that had almost brought him to his knees.

As soon as Rin's name had escaped her lips, Sesshoumaru had bolted out of the room and she followed as fast as she could. As soon as she had made it out to the hallway, Kagome could already see him standing at the far end. Finally reaching him, she held back a gasp at the destruction of the room.

The wall was partially gone, leaving the cold evening air to waft in. Furniture lay broken and overturned throughout the room and in the hallway, making it almost impossible to maneuver through without having to climb over various objects. It was then that the echoing sound of footsteps caught Sesshoumaru's attention. Turning just in time to see a small group of soldiers turn the corner to the Royal Wing and making their way towards them.

Kagome on the other hand, shoved Sesshoumaru out of the way as she shouldered her way past the broken doors that hung askew and began climbing over furniture. The need to find the little girl who loved flowers was her soul purpose at the moment. She knew that it could be dangerous leaving Sesshoumaru to look for the little girl he considered a daughter. It would be the same for her in reverse if it were Shippou. There was no way anyone could function properly when their child was in danger so she had took it upon herself to show him in this one act that she would find Rin while he took care of his soldiers. And he was grateful for that.

Climbing over an overturned armoire, a small whimper had caught her attention. Encouraging Rin to make another noise so that she could pin point exactly the child was proved to be successful. Rin was curled underneath her mattress and looked to be unharmed. Thank Kami.

Once Kagome had relieved Rin of the mattresses weight, she began to check for any internal damage, like broken bones. She was ecstatic to find none.

Having Rin safely in her arms, Kagome began to trek back towards the broken doorway where Sesshoumaru stood barking orders to his men and one by one, they left to carry out his orders.

Relief washed over him and the small group of remaining soldiers that stood outside the chamber when Kagome had emerged with Rin in her arms. With just a few minor scratches and bruises and looking a bit disheveled all together, they all knew that they were lucky this time. Who ever had dared to attack the Western Palace and attempt to lay harm onto Rin had better have the right mind to run to the farthest hills because they would never be safe in the Western territory again.

After setting Rin down only to be swept back up by Sesshoumaru brought a smile to Kagome's face. It was odd seeing Sesshoumaru as a father, though after witnessing his obvious relief over Rin's safety , she couldn't imagine him being anything else.

Feeling as if she was intruding on such a private matter, she began to ease her way down the hallway until one of the soldiers had obtained Kagome's attention and had ushered her to follow him. She hesitated at first but ultimately obliged.

After walking down several long walkways, they finally made it to a small room made of large stone. The air was stale and the darkness gave it an oppressing feel to it causing Kagome to shudder.

"Do not be afraid."

The soldier said as he lit a candle that illuminated the tiny room. It was circular with a small desk near the wooden door and an old wooden stair case that looked to spiral downward into the dark depths. She couldn't tell how far it descended; the candle light didn't reach that far.

Once Kagome had assessed her surroundings, she then focused her attention on the young soldier moving about the cramped room. Grabbing a small wooden box that has seen better days, he placed in on top of the desk and retrieved a small cloth and glass vial.

"This will hurt at first but if you're anything like the stories, you'll be just fine."

Like the stories? What was he talking about?

Watching him pour the liquid from the vial onto the cloth, he then placed it on her cut above her forehead. Giving a yelp, she pushed him away.

"What do you mean I'll be fine? That's cold!"

This caused the soldier to laugh.

"I'll tell you the truth, I wasn't expecting that remark."

His silver eyes danced with amusement as he handed her the cloth to allow her to place it upon the injury herself. Silence fell between the two as the soldier placed the worn box back to its rightful place on the shelf above the desk.

"May I ask for your name?" Kagome asked tentatively.

The soldier straightened his back and faced her fully. Silver eyes shone proudly.

"I was given the name that belonged to my father's father, Saru; Captain of the fourth regiment of the West."

So he was a Captain. She smiled.

"My name is Kagome, but from what you said earlier about the so called 'stories', you already know about me."

Saru nodded.

"Yes, the stories that had filtered through the walls of the palace were something to be amazed, but truthfully, you are not what I had imagined."

Kagome shrugged. He was not what she had imagined either but that was her secret. Everything was not what it had seemed lately and it surprised her less and less.

"What is this place?"

This caused a chuckle to escape from him.

"I apologize for taking you to such a depressing room but it was the closest one. You see, the palace has hidden chambers for the royal family, staff, and solders to use for escaping when the palace is under siege. There is a labyrinth of stone passageways far below the palace that lead out to the cliffs on the beach. They are also unmarked so enemies cannot find them so easily nor can anyone hear from the hallways."

His shoulders slump a bit.

"I brought you hear to ask you an important favor."

Kagome waited for Saru to continue.

"I know who was behind the attack this evening."

This seemed to peak her interest.

"Who was it?" She sounded desperate, even to her own ears.

"It was a product of the South, but not directly."

This seemed to confuse her, "What do you mean not directly?"

"It was ordered by the South but the South didn't set off the explosions."

So that means that it must have been an inside job! Sesshoumaru must be informed about this immediately. Lunging off the stool she was occupying, Kagome tried to get Saru to agree to tell Sesshoumaru about this knowledge but he refused to move.

"Lady Kagome, I fear that I cannot allow you to leave just yet."

"So why bring me here? Why tell me this if you're not even going to tell him? Rin's life was spared this day; next time, luck might not be with us!"

He knew that but he knew that if he was indeed right about who exactly the culprits were for setting off the explosions, then he would need all the help he could get. And after hearing about the great defeat of the hanyou Naraku by the hands of this human female, then he would have to have her full loyalty on board for this mission he was about to relay to his Lord.

"The favor I wanted to ask of you: will you aid us in fighting against the South?"

She couldn't believe what an incredulous question that was. Of course she would aid the West, she had already agreed to help Sesshoumaru in any way that she could but with Saru's request, she had a sinking feeling that it was much more than just that.

Okay, time to whip out the big guns. Crossing her arms over her chest, she gave him a look that would make any one want to break down and spill their guts. Just a little technique that has been passed down through the Higurashi women for generations and it has proved successful time and time again.

"Okay, what more aren't you telling me."

Dammit, her blue eyes saw far too much. He was hopeful that she would have downright agreed without being told the whole story. He just wanted to know that she would lend a helping hand if things got too big, he didn't want her to get in to something that was too much for her to handle. But a nagging voice in the back of his head had told him that it wouldn't have mattered anyway; that she would be right at the front lines with the best of them if things came down to it.

"I have gotten word from the other Captains that have been deployed at the Southern border. It appears that the Southern Lord has been making contact with some of our soldiers."

He leaned back against the desk and crossed his feet and the ankles and his arms over his armored chest, looking all too comfortable talking about war.

"There have been several assassination attempts towards our Lord but none had ever exceeded passed the border. One night, a small division patrolling the front was captured and only two survived. Every one was thrilled to see at least two of our men survive but something didn't sit well with me and neither did it with our Lord but he quickly dismissed it, thinking nothing of it. Who could blame him? He's fighting a war that's one sided; his attention is needed elsewhere."

It didn't take long for Kagome to see the problem.

"So the question you're asking is why those two soldiers were allowed to walk out alive."

Saru pointed his finger at her as if showing her that she was spot on.

"Exactly; now it wasn't more than two months later that the South had been gaining ground on the West. My suspicions were proven correct when I had noticed that those two soldiers were always on duty whenever the South advanced, even in the slightest and now this happens."

It made sense to Kagome. From what Saru was telling her, it was possible to say for sure that the two soldiers that were released from the South's hold had come up with some kind of agreement. They walk free if they could ensure a victory for the South. Genius really, but she feared that Sesshoumaru would find out far too late.

Saru watched Kagome as she seemed to go through every emotion imaginable. He wondered how she was able to come out on top against Naraku with her thoughts displayed so openly across her face. It was almost comical how easily he could read her.

Finally, her features had settled on a look of determination. This pleased him greatly.

Saru pushed himself away from the desk and stood before her, making her crane her neck back just to keep eye contact.

"I thank you, Lady Kagome, for your loyalty to the West and to our Lord."

The soft light had illuminated his features enough to know that even though he was probably younger than Sesshoumaru, the life he lived was a rough one. She could see it in the way he moved, he was always alert; just like the Lord he serves under and it pained her to know that these men had been living under the constant threat of attack from the South. She could relate to that feeling and knew that it began to ware on one's mental health. Maybe she should visit the soldiers' quarters and use some of her miko energy to help heal some of them. She could also work up a nice warm stew as well. She was sure that they were well fed but some hot food made by the goodness of a woman's heart was sometimes all a man needs. Her mother's words to her from long ago. Giving him another smile, Saru allowed her to pass and exit the confines of the room.

"I agree with the stories, she would make an excellent mate for our Lord."

He thought aloud.

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The dark sky matched his stormy gray eyes as he marched through the cold palace; his staccato footsteps filled the open corridors of the stone bridge. The bridge that linked the north wing to the south had large open archways on one side that allowed the winter breeze to brush against his face and wall opposite consisted of solid gray stone and every few feet, hung a lit torch. Once he had gotten word that a second explosion was unleashed on the West, he headed straight for his study, knowing full well that the one responsible was there. Immediately turning to his left after crossing the bridge, he slammed open the large doors that contained his study and found who he was looking for sitting behind his desk.

Pinning her with his storm colored eyes; he took firm strides until he stood just inches from her. The smile she gave him made his hands itch to smack her. She was oblivious to the damage she could have created to his plans. Yes, he knew the consequences of starting a war with the West but it had all changed when he had formed an alliance to the two fools that served under the banner of the West. They had been excellent pawns to him but now he may have no more use for them because of this bitch that stood before him.

"My, my, what has your trousers all in a bunch?"

She joked as she stroked her finger beneath his stubble chin while making her way towards the large bay window that over looked the snow covered lands of the South. Disgusted, he jerked his head away from her touch which caused her to laugh softly. Her normally sultry voice sounded painful to him.

"It's not like you to shy away from my touch Rikku."

Clenching his fists, he attempted to speak with barely controlled anger.

"Do you have any idea the severity of the decisions you made pertaining to the attack on the West?"

She tilted her head as if to amplify her trying to remember.

"I'm sorry dear cousin, but you're going to have to be a bit more specific."

Her ice colored eyes flashed challengingly.

He approached again, this time using his sheer size to intimidate her.

"I meant about the second attack you had ordered on the West; specifically towards the daughter of the Western Lord. Does that ring a bell?"

This seemed to amuse her but did nothing else.

"Oh, I seem to recall that decision and I'm heartbroken to know that the fools that you had 'hired' failed to carry out the job efficiently."

He was mildly happy to see her jump when his fist slammed into the wall beside her head. Leading down towards her ear, he whispered,

"That was a bad move on your part, Kanya; if you ever want to live long enough to see you're pretty little ass sitting on the Western throne, then I suggest you stay out of my way."

He finished his small threat by slightly gracing her neck with his lips and before she could turn to face him, he was gone.

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Walking back though his palace in attempts to get as far from his cousin as possible; his mind swirled with thoughts that surrounded the annoying bitch that was his cousin. He had longed since figured out that his feelings for her had far exceeded that of a normal family relationship and because of that, he knew that his love for her could never surpass the confines of his heart. But he also knew that putting her on the throne next to that Western bastard would make her happy, even if the plan ended with the murder of the pompous inu lord. What Kanya didn't know was that once she ridden herself of the Western Lord, he was going to rid himself of her and the unholy control she had over him.

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I want to say thank you to all those who have reviewed thus far. I enjoy knowing that you're all enjoying the story as much as I am writing it. Again, I'm so sorry for not updating quickly. I have the entire story written in my head, the hard part is trying to write it down but I'll continue to try uploading faster.

~Desert-Bandit